Posts Tagged with Education

Celebrating one year since this glorious, gloomy day in Edinburgh- my MSc graduation. This was one of my best days in 2016. I had a really wonderful time after what had been a very frustrating week.

I think I’ve said this before elsewhere but my time in Edinburgh was so special. It shaped my world view and work ethic and I can’t thank my God enough. God took me there, looked after me and made sure I left with both my hands and heart full.

I had never considered a PHd. For a while, it had felt like I could barely manage being in the academy- the pressure, my goodness! It makes you feel small and insignificant. But towards the end of my programme, watching some of the incredible PHd candidates in our department, I wondered what it would be like to be on the other side- creating knowledge and influencing ways of learning. Aside from the personal interest, I take with great seriousness the need for more black, African, women scholars influencing world views and decolonizing the academy.

I hope to start on this journey in the future. But for now, I celebrate all that I am becoming. I will get there. I’m living and loving the space I’m in right now. Most of you know how much I was looking forward to coming home! I love being here and feeling first hand the currents that are driving the future of this country. I’m also in the early stages of a career that is stretching and teaching me so much. This is not to say that it’s easy and a joyous occasion everyday. There are some really difficult days- sometimes weeks! And it can be a mammoth task to get on with what I have to do. In those moments, I try not to look for an antidote. This is what life feels like sometimes. You just try to get used to it.

I’m looking ahead but once in a while it feels good to look back and feed off the energy of past accomplishments.

Thank you to my lecturers whose teachings still guide me to this day. Thank you to my friends- some of who I am delighted to still be close to. Thank you to my family, whose love and support has fueled me every step of the way.

And most importantly, to the God I serve.. I shine because of you. May I never forget that my strength comes from You.

Someone asked Mark Zuckerberg a question and his response struck a chord with me.

Zuckerberg has undoubtedly found his purpose in life- he wants to connect the world. His means? Facebook Inc. Facebook does not exist in a vacuum. It exists to fulfill a much larger purpose.

Many of us have jobs and many of us are doing degrees. But many don’t understand that they should be used as tools towards a vision. Jobs and degrees in themselves don’t offer much. But they become meaningful when they are pieces of a bigger puzzle.

A purpose requires you to go much further than simply working a 9-5 job. When you’re not at the office, you’re reading to enhance your knowledge, having conversations about ideas or even dreaming about it. Your whole life revolves around your vision- in a healthy way.

I’ve seen it here at my Students’ Union. Many students spend their time outside university hours in planning meetings, organizing, campaigning and working tirelessly for causes they believe in. They have powerful convictions and channel relentless energy towards them. They have taught me what it means to be dedicated.

Your life purpose will require you to find all the puzzle pieces that enable you to paint the bigger picture. These pieces many be jobs, degrees, hobbies, activities, people, conversations- the list is endless. Keep a hawk eye for opportunities that fall in line with your vision.

I have an idea about what my purpose is. It involves young people, Africa, communities, activism, politics and education. Any job, degree, hobby, activity, person or conversation that is related to any of the aforementioned, I openly embrace because they contribute, one way or the other, towards the bigger vision.

I want everything I engage in to honour the purpose that God has given my life. There’s not a second to waste.